Columbia Gorge Education Service District, Washington Gorge Action Programs, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council, and The Next Door Inc. have teamed up with Insitu and WaFd Bank to host a winter coat drive for local area youth. Donations of new and like-new coats for all ages are being taken through the end of December. Coats can be donated in Hood River at Insitu in the fourth floor lobby of the Waucoma Building, The Next Door on 965 Tucker Road, WaFd Bank on 115 Oak, and Itty Bitty Thrifts on 1802 Cascade. In The Dalles donations are taken at WaFd Bank on 1014 W 6th Street, The Next Door at 1113 Kelly Avenue, Columbia Gorge ESD on the 2nd floor of Building 2 on the Columbia Gorge Community College Campus, The Coffee Shop on 116 E 2nd Street, and Mid-Columbia Community Action at the Gloria Center on 2505 W 7th Street. And in the Bingen/White Salmon area take donations to the Eagle Point Lobby at Insitu on 118 E Columbia River Way, Washington Gorge Action Programs on 115 W Steuben Street, Harvest Market on 77 NE Wauna Avenue, and Whitson Elementary School.
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Wasco County Changes Domain Name
Wasco County has changed its official web domain to WascoCountyOR.gov. The previous website address, co.wasco.or.us, will be permanently redirected to the new address. County officials say the transition to a .gov domain provides trust and verification. The .gov top-level domain is strictly reserved for official U.S. governmental organizations, intended to confirm that users are accessing a legitimate, verified source of county information and services. The public is asked to update any saved browser bookmarks or shortcuts for Wasco County to the new WascoCountyOR.gov. All official county email addresses have also transitioned to the new format, so update your contacts to reflect this change.
Sewer Main Work Set For East 10th In The Dalles This Week
The Dalles Public Works will work this week on E 10th St. between Quinton St. and Roberts St. to replace and upgrade a stormwater sewer main. This project is part of the ongoing work on E 9th St. and Quinton St. A westbound lane closure on E 10th St. between Quinton St. and Roberts St. will remain in place for three days during the week. Full street closures on E 9th St. from Oregon St. to E 10th St. will remain in place. Motor vehicles and bicyclists will be detoured to adjacent side streets. Pedestrian and sidewalk access will remain open through the duration of this work. Work hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on each scheduled work day, but the trench must remain open until work is complete.
CGCC Water Line Repairs Completed
Repairs were completed Tuesday on a water main leak at the Columbia Gorge Community College campus in The Dalles that closed most of the campus on Monday, and still had three buildings shut down Tuesday morning. Buildings 1, 2, and 3 were reopened at around noon Tuesday. Buildings 4 and 5, the Art Building and Regional Skills Center were open at the start of the day. CGCC Communications Director Tom Penberthy says the leak was found to originate under a sidewalk near the campus amphitheater. The Dalles campus will be fully operational Wednesday.
TD Council Approves Planning Commission Changes
The Dalles City Council approved an ordinance to streamline Planning Commission proceedings and setting the stage for using a hearings officer to make quasi-judicial decisions. Mayor Rich Mays notes the move will allow the Planning Commission to focus on legislative matters. The Planning Commission would still hear applications that require a judicial process. Appeals to the City Council remain a part of the process regardless of whether decisions are rendered from the Planning Commission or a hearings officer. An implementation of the hearings officer process will come next, with the expectation to have one in place by April.
Dexter Talks Immigrant Rights With HR Council
Oregon Third District Congresswoman Maxine Dexter spoke to the Hood River City Council on Monday evening about how her office is trying to protect the rights of those detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. Dexter says her office has two bilingual caseworkers to serve immigrant families, and advises people to contact them immediately if someone you know has been detained. Dexter added if someone sees a person being detained, it is best to use the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition hotline. Dexter told the Council that the rule of law is not being followed, adding this is about “who we are as Oregon.”
Mt. Hood Forest Christmas Tree Permits Available
Christmas tree permits for Mt. Hood National Forest are now available for purchase. Permits cost $5 per tree and each household can purchase up to five per year. In this area, permits are available at Tum-A-Lum Lumber in Hood River and The Dalles, Dufur Market, and The Way Station in Tygh Valley. They are also available online at Recreation.gov. Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit, which can be obtained on Recreation.gov or at a participating district office. Details about designated cutting areas, permit guidelines, safety & cutting tips, and where permits may be purchased are online at the Mt. Hood National Forest website. It’s important to carefully read the overview and need-to-know information prior to purchasing the permit. A tree map is required when harvesting. The Christmas tree program can improve forest health by helping to thin densely populated stands of small-diameter trees. In turn, other trees can grow larger and provide forage and open areas to benefit wildlife.
Water Main Leak Closes CGCC The Dalles Campus On Monday
A leak to the water main serving most of the Columbia Gorge Community College campus in The Dalles led to its closure for Monday. CGCC Communications Director Tom Penberthy says the leak was discovered on Sunday afternoon. To prevent any damage to the buildings, the water was turned off. Buildings 1 through 6 and the school’s residence hall lost water service. Penberthy says the leak was isolated Monday morning, so the CGCC residence hall was expected to reopen by early Monday afternoon. Work is continuing on the water main, and Penberthy expects they will have more updates later Monday. The Fort Dalles Readiness Center is on a different water line and remains open. CGCC’s Hood River campus is operating on its normal schedule.
Wasco County Gets E-Board Approval For Rowena Cleanup Funds
Wasco County officials say last week’s approval of $2.5 million in state emergency funds for Rowena Fire debris cleanup is a significant step forward. The Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board voted to approve the allocation representing a large portion of the estimated $3.5 million total cost for the cleanup. Wasco County Commission Chair Scott Hege says the $2.5 million provides the foundation they need to move forward soon with the cleanup and restoration of the Rowena area. Hege says the County is actively pursuing the remaining $1 million needed to fully fund the project, working with the state to secure the final amount through other available programs, adding the County is hopeful and committed to getting the full funding needed so the cleanup can move forward smoothly.
Hood River Council Getting More Development Code Detail
The Hood River City Council this evening will get background from the City’s planning staff on the latest module of proposed development code revisions that will be coming before them next year. City Manager Abigail Elder says this particular discussion will get down to a lot of details for all types of development, including fence heights, driveway space, outdoor lighting, and more. Elder notes next year they will be doing community engagement on the development code, then write the revisions for the City Planning Commission and Council to consider. This evening’s Hood River City Council meeting begins at 6 p.m. in City Hall.